Thanks, Sassy and Lafayette. You are quite kind and your words very wise.
One thing I know I shall NOT do it rush into the wrong thing and get saddled with something (paid or not paid) that I will grow to hate. I would like to reason it all out and then make a decision.
I got on my home scale this morning and was a bit disappointed, by the way. I was away at the lake and I have to say that I was fairly well behaved and did get exercise, but the scale didn't seem to budge.
I'll stick with it and shall plan out my eating and move on...

Thanks, Sassy!

I called work this morning to let them know I would be out another 2.5 weeks at least. It went OK but I get the impression there will be some blame and bull from a few people when I get back. I hope I am wrong. I didn't intend to leave for emergency surgery and/or to be out this long. The idea of going back to that environment and attitude makes me a little leary... I guess it's just as well that I have more time to get healthy and prepare myself to deal with it!

No weight loss since the initial drop but I'm sure looking forward to feeling better! We're going to try a little walk later, too. I've got to get these old bones movin'!

Hi All,

well, i've rejoined WW at work program and I'm motivated to keep going this time, I want to be down a lot before I get married in May of 2008. I've just hit 15 pound mark and hope to keep going. I used to be a regular to this site several years ago and have never forgotten the support that goes on in the forums! Hope everyone has a great and wonderful holiday!

Good Morning People.(she says, with a bounce in her voice) It's the first day of spring over here, woke up this morning with the birds singing outside the window, the little sheeps are running around, and the flowers are popping out everywhere. Even got hubby out for a early morning walk. My weight has gone down 400grm as of Friday morning. But I would not count on it staying that way over the weekend. We have a BBQ to go to at a son's house. So I will tell you next week.
Meanwhile I have been just sitting here on the puter and downloading music on to me mp3, which really helps when I am out walking. Seems to make me go a little faster than norm.

Hello Mistyblue.

Lafayette, Take you sweet time going back to work. People at work don't know how you feel, and it's only you that lives in your body. It's really nice to hear you are up and walking.

(One thing I know I shall NOT do it rush into the wrong thing and get saddled with something (paid or not paid) that I will grow to hate. I would like to reason it all out and then make a decision)

This is very wise, one of my kids signed up for a course and 2 months later decied he did not like it but had to stay because it was paid for.
Maybe you could look for some free ones or short ones to have a try at, there are so many different things to do now days.

Got to run, have house work to do before I go anywhere tonite.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND
Mary

Mary, sounds like you're doing a great job of staying positive! Way to go with the early am walk!

I'm sitting home alone watching What Not To Wear and getting excited about being able to wear something other than oversized pajama bottoms sometime in the future. I just feel very confident that I can recoever, lose the rest of the weight and feel better than ever! I even made sure to schedule a haircut and color before I head back to work. No reason to scare small children!

Mistyblue, there's a thread for "Brides to Be" under the support groups/miscellaneous clubs section- we'd love to have you stop in! I'm getting married in March 2008 and I intend to be a fit size 6 in time to order a smashing wedding dress- that means by October 2007. The other girls and I can suggest lots of flattering styles for you and your bridesmaids plus some fun planning tips (one brave soul even made homemade soap for her guests!). It's like brides or the knot but with LOTS of encouragement, 3FC style!

My Gosh ! did I say that I had lost 400grms on Friday?
MMM well I put it back on, on the weekend, plus 1oo. But to tell the truth, it really was worth it. We had a great time and our football team won. With any luck they will win the grand final's which some of the family will be going to watch in Australia at the end of the month.
It's very quite in here where is everyone?

Labor Day weekend was a bit of a bust for me... I had brownies for breakfast yesterday, if that's any clue... I have been feeling pretty rough but I also went off the painkillers because they were ripping up my stomach. Ibuprofen isn't quite the same! I'm adjusting, though.

We had a friends/family get-together yesterday that was fun but became a little bit of a "what happened to you?" event. So much for just saying that I had major abdominal surgery... that just led to more detailed questions like, "Are you OK with not being able to have children?" Ugh...

I got the slight impression that one person had an opinion she felt should have been consulted before I had the surgery... it could be self-created tension but I know this person has criticized me in the past for everything from hiring a painter when I was too exhausted to complete the job to wedding details she felt should have been done differently. Her reaction to learning the surgery was done on an emergency basis because I was hemorraging was a pretty clear indicator that she has already criticized me to others. Ah, well. It's her world and I'm just living in it What a beast!!!

Hi guys.... back to the "grind" today... I gained yesterday, just .6 but it was still a gain. Today is a going away party at my quilt group, as well, and there will be cake. One of our dearest members is moving out of state.
Maybe the slight gain was what I needed to keep me in check? I'll have the tiniest sliver. We're all going out to lunch together afterwards, but I am in control at a restaurant, at least. I put an apple in my tote bag and I think I'll cut it up and munch slowly on it before we take coffee break and everyone sits in front of that cake. If I munch slowly, I think maybe I'll be able to deal with a sliver of cake, otherwise I would be starving and would lose control.
Lafayette, I like the saying "It's her world and I am just living in it". I severed a long term friendship with someone like that not too long ago. I never thought of it that saying, just that she is a control freak and had something to say about everything I did and questioned all my choices. She is politically opposed to me, as well, which doesn't help. Of course, all of HER candidates and stands on issues are correct and she would never cease to argue with me over these points. I just hated having to deal with it. Of course, her opinion about where my kids went to college and how they conducted their lives was also for her to tell... I'm well rid of her. I hope you can deal with this person well.
You are in control of your own life, wedding, reproductive decisions and don't ever forget that!
MaryL, you sound like me. The social occasions are the worst. I can do so well when it is just me eating and no one else around, but social things are so hard.
I'm hoping my apple today will save me....

Good luck with your apple, Linda! That sounds like an excellent strategy.

I wish I could sever the relationship but she's about to be family. I get the impression other family members are equally irritated by her judgements but that doesn't make it easier to take. In the past, I've tried to give her the benefit of the doubt and have even defended her. I've just decided to remain quiet when she starts in and when others complain. My mother always said, "If you don't fight, the other person can't win." I guess now we'll see if that works.

On the upside, I am madly in love with my fiance and my future mother-in-law is fantastic so I'll survive the wedding and future holidays!

Hello guys could I get on the bus to ? I saw there was another kiwi on it (hi Mary)

You sure can! Did you just get started on your journey? Or have you been around for a while?

Update: The soon-to-be family member I mentioned in my previous post reached out to me with an offer to help out. I hope this will be the start of a relationship that doesn't include her constant criticism but I'm not really holding my breath. Maybe a little positive attention will be just what the doctor ordered.

In the meantime, I have been crazy for salads and fresh veggies lately. Thank God for small favors but I can't believe I'm actually craving LETTUCE!

Has anyone seen the new show "You Are What You Eat" on BBC America? A nutritionist stages an intervention with overweight people after assessing their diet and showing them a table loaded with what they ate over the past week. My God! I wonder how many nibbles of chocolate (dark and anti-oxidant friendly, of course!) would be on my table?!? They give them recipes and tips for staying the course and it's really pretty cool to see how they begin to feel better and more energized in just a few weeks. I like it much better than the puritanical shows they do here in the US. The Brits come right out and say people fart too much and have no sex drive (two positive incentives for cleaning up your act) whereas the Americans have to discuss heart health, diabetes, premature aging and guilt. Check it out!

Good evening... not much going on here this evening, but I loved this line:
My mother always said, "If you don't fight, the other person can't win." I guess now we'll see if that works.
I just LOVE that....I know a person in my life that this is so true about. It drives her absolutely crazy that I will not "spar" with her any longer. I feel triumphant.
Lafayette, change the subject when she brings up things and harps on them. It helps.
As for me, I went to the gym today. I practically dragged myself, but felt so much better when I was there and after I left.
I was on program and have 2 flex points left for a WW dessert as well. I'm quite happy with today's efforts.
Hope everyone had a good day!

Way to go, Linda! I'll be sure to keep your advice in mind... I hope it goes better this time.

I walked- all by myself- around the corner to the deli for a salad... I still can't believe how much I've been craving lettuce!

Craving lettuce certainly sounds like an odd thing, but healthy! I usually crave comfort foods like diary products (desserts like custards, flans, creme brulee, etc.) and chocolate. I wish I could develop a lettuce craving!
Today, house cleaning and laundry shall be my way of earning activity points. I won't count them on my journal, but I know I'll probably earn 2 points.
I just finished a low point breakfast, have to plan what dinner will be tonight so I won't blow it.
I'm glad you are getting your strength back, Lafayette!

I have finally gievn up on my fiance's ability to take care of the house and housework while I am down for the count. I love him, but I swear he just doesn't see the dirt!

He bought all new TV components and left the bits and pieces of packaging and spare wires laying all over the livcing room. He cleaned the kitchen before he left this morning but skipped all the pots and pans and cleaning some serious scuz in the sink. Laundry? Fermenting in the washer! I can't even describe the state of the bathroom... Men!!!

So, I am getting my exercise running up and down the basement stairs in a massive attempt to get clean sheets and underwear. I also finished the kitchen, bleached the sink and wiped down what I could reach in the bathroom. Thank God the maid service I hired to get the rest will be here Monday!!!

I must be healing!